As producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman consider candidates to play James Bond after Daniel Craig, the franchise’s first major recasting offers a reminder that a new 007 may take years to be fully appreciated. In 1969, George Lazenby replaced Sean Connery in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, a film now championed by directors including Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh.
Connery departed after You Only Live Twice, prompting producers Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman and director Peter Hunt to audition hundreds of actors. Lazenby had little acting experience beyond chocolate commercials, but the filmmakers were drawn to his appearance. They gave him voice coaching to soften his Australian accent and prepared him for the film’s stunts before casting him shortly before production.
The film’s opening acknowledged the change with a brief joke: after Diana Rigg’s character leaves him, Lazenby’s Bond looks at the camera and says, “This never happened to the other fellow.” The production also used footage from earlier Bond films in its opening credits, while returning franchise collaborators—including screenwriter Richard Maibaum, composer John Barry and production designer Syd Cain—helped preserve a familiar feel.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service set itself apart visually from the earlier films, using more atmospheric lighting. It also featured elaborate ski chases and a central romance between Bond and Rigg’s character. John Barry’s score gave the story a sweeping romantic quality, while Lazenby’s performance presented a more openly human Bond than Connery’s.
The film’s reputation has grown well beyond its initially mixed reception. Soderbergh called it the best Bond film and praised its value beyond straightforward entertainment. Nolan has also cited the film’s ski sequences as an influence on Inception.
Lazenby’s time in the role was brief. Disagreements and lingering tensions surrounded the production, and his representatives announced that he would not return. Lazenby had not signed the seven-year contract and believed he could pursue other work; he also thought the Bond franchise might not last much longer. Producers soon announced that he had been fired, presenting his departure as their decision.
The film earned $82 million against an $8 million production budget, but it was less popular than Connery’s previous Bond film and received mixed reviews. Connery returned for Diamonds Are Forever, while Lazenby went on to other film and television work. In retrospect, the response to his Bond debut looks very different: decades later, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is widely regarded by some prominent filmmakers as a standout in the series.
Sources: IndieWire.